Chart: Brazilian industrial activity as a % of GDP is back to levels seen in the 1950s

According to a recent Folha article, the current involvement of the industry in Brazil’s GDP fell to levels seen in 1956, when then President Kubitschek (JK) heavily promoted the country’s industrialization by launching his plan to make Brazil advance “50 years in only 5.”

Last year, the value-added manufacturing sector – which transforms raw materials into consumer goods or other industrial items – accounted for only 14.6% of GDP. This level was lower only in 1956, when the industry accounted for 13.8% of GDP.